Hand Hygiene Practices Among Pediatric Physicians in Saudi Arabia During COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights -

Research from King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital in Saudi Arabia highlights the importance of hand hygiene practices (HHP) among pediatric physicians, with a focus on reducing the risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which was conducted among 404 pediatric physicians, found that 56.68% were male and 43.06% belonged to the 25-35 years age group. The results showed that HHP immediately before touching patients and after body fluid exposure were the most effective preventive measures against germ transmission.

Key Takeaways:

  • 98.01% of respondents were familiar with the five moments of hand hygiene (HHM), which include: before touching patients, before clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure, after touching patients, and after touching surrounding of patients.
  • 74.25% preferred rubbing hands before palpation of abdomen, and 56.68% preferred rubbing hands before giving injections.
  • 51.73% preferred alcohol-based sanitizers, and 53.46% facilitated daily morning huddles.
  • 86.88% of pediatric physicians reported remaining committed to hand hygiene even after the pandemic.
  • Consultants gave more importance and were more adherent to hand hygiene during and after the pandemic compared to residents and specialists.

Statistics:

  • 404 pediatric physicians participated in the study.
  • 56.68% of respondents were male.
  • 43.06% of respondents belonged to the 25-35 years age group.
  • 98.01% of respondents were familiar with the five moments of hand hygiene.
  • 74.25% preferred rubbing hands before palpation of abdomen.
  • 56.68% preferred rubbing hands before giving injections.
  • 51.73% preferred alcohol-based sanitizers.
  • 53.46% facilitated daily morning huddles.
  • 86.88% of pediatric physicians remained committed to hand hygiene even after the pandemic.
  • Consultants gave more importance to hand hygiene during the pandemic (p = 0.02).
  • Consultants were more adherent to hand hygiene during the pandemic (p = 0.007).
  • Consultants were more adherent to hand hygiene after the pandemic (p = 0.001).

Sources:

  • The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hand hygiene adherence among pediatric physicians, in Saudi Arabia. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 2022;82:104518.
  • King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital. (2022). King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital Reports Findings in COVID-19 (The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hand hygiene adherence among pediatric physicians, in Saudi Arabia). Pediatrics Week. October 1, 2022; p 17.